Big Fat Myths by Ruben Meerman

Ruben Meerman and Professor Andrew Brown from the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales published a paper in 2014 When somebody loses weight, where does the fat go? 1

Professor Brown specialises in the study of lipids (fats) including cholesterol. Meerman has a physics degree and is known as the surfing scientist and has appeared in a number of television shows including ABC’s Catalyst program. He is the author of Big Fat Myths, a book that expands on the previous paper. The original paper and later book explains how every molecule of fat escapes the human body during weight loss.2

According to Meerman,

Excess carbohydrate or protein in the diet is converted to triglyceride and stored in the lipid droplets of adipocytes. Excess dietary fat needs no conversion other than lipolysis and re-esterification. People who wish to lose weight while maintaining their fat-free mass are, biochemically speaking, attempting to metabolise the triglycerides stored in their adipocytes.

Excess carbohydrates are NOT converted to fat, except in forced circumstances. Excess sugars and carbohydrates are stored as glycogen in the liver and muscle cells. This is why athletes perform “carbohydrate loading” to build up there store of glycogen before endurance events. “Hitting the wall’ occurs when these stores are depleted.

Professor Stewart Truswell, professor of Human Nutrition at University of Sydney, explains: “In some animal species, carbohydrates in excess of requirements are converted to fat via the pathway of lipogenesis. […]. Other than in the experimental situation of gross carbohydrate overfeeding, conversion of carbohydrate to stored lipids does not occur to any appreciable extent in humans.”3

Marc Hallerstein, professor of Nutritional Science at Berkeley: “Fat cannot be converted to carbohydrate in animals because animals lack the enzymes of the glyoxylate pathway, and carbohydrate is not converted to fat because of a functional block of uncertain cause.”4

He also states, “Under most dietary conditions, the two major macronutrient energy sources (CHO and fat) are therefore not interconvertible currencies; CHO and fat have independent, though interacting, economies and independent regulation.”5

A research team at University of Lausanne: “These findings challenge the common perception that conversion of CHO to fat is an important pathway for the retention of dietary energy and for the accumulation of body fat.” 6

According to Meerman and Brown:

For comparison, a single 100 g muffin represents about 20% of an average person’s total daily energy requirement. Physical activity as a weight loss strategy is, therefore, easily foiled by relatively small quantities of excess food.

The body has complex feedback mechanisms which allow us to maintain homeostasis – a dynamic static of equilibrium that ensures a multitude of variables remain within a functional and viable range. This includes body temperature, electrolyte balance and body weight. The minerals in our blood need to be maintained within a very narrow range which is normally achieved despite a wide variation in their consumption. The idea that our “weight-loss strategy is easily foiled by relatively small quantities of excess food” just does not apply in the real-world.

One well-known study showed that ADDING 12 slices of white bread (at 70 calories a slice) or high-fiber bread (at 50 calories a slice) to existing diet of overweight participants (a diet that resulted them in being overweight in the first place), resulted in an average weight loss of 9 kg over a period of 8 weeks. There was no change in their physical activity or exercise.7

Meerman and Brown states that:

The fate of a triglyceride molecule’s six oxygen atoms is a conundrum solved in 1949 by Lifson and colleagues. They used labelled heavy oxygen to show that the oxygen atoms of body water and respiratory carbon dioxide are rapidly exchanged through the formation of carbonic acid (H2CO3). A triglyceride’s six oxygen atoms will therefore be shared by CO2 and H2O in the same 2:1 ratio in which oxygen exists in each substance. In other words, four will be exhaled and two will form water.

The Lifson paper8 was studying the source of oxygen in respiratory carbon dioxide after oxidation of glucose. Oxidation of fats and proteins were not considered in this study.

Meerman and Brown seem to ignore the fact that carbon dioxide that we exhale is also created during oxidisation of glucose – which is why blood sugar and glycogen stores are lowest early morning. They make the fundamental mistake of assuming that the carbon dioxide we exhale is produced only from the metabolism of fats.

The conclusion of the paper states:

Our calculations show that the lungs are the primary excretory organ for fat. Losing weight requires unlocking the carbon stored in fat cells, thus reinforcing that often heard refrain of “eat less, move more.”

This advice simply does not work. Not surprisingly, what you eat has an enormous impact on your health and weight – far behind the simple (simplistic) advice of “eat less, move more.”

For example, “An overwhelming amount of evidence shows that the ratio of fat to carbohydrate in the diet is the primary factor in the macronutrient composition of the diet that easily causes passive over-consumption of energy and thus leads to weight gain. In contrast, high-carbohydrate diets seem relatively benign, regardless of the type of carbohydrate.” 9

Fats are much more energy dense – the same volume of fats contain 2¼ times more energy than carbohydrates. Also, because they take less volume, they are not as filling so we eat more.

The energy costs of digesting carbohydrates are much greater than fats – we expend much more energy to digest carbohydrates than we do to digest fats.

People on a predominately plant-based diet have a higher body temperature than those on a animal-based diet. People on a ketogenic diet, have a lower body temperature. Raising the body temperature expends more energy.

The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) was established in 1994. It is the largest study into long-term weight loss programs. The principal researchers are Rena Wing (Brown Medical School, Rhode Island) and James Hill (University of Colorado). There are now over 10,000 participants enrolled in the study.1213

To be eligible to enroll in the study participants must be at least 18 years old, have lost at least 13.6 kg (30 lbs) of weight and kept it off for at least one year.

According to the researchers “almost nobody is on a low-carbohydrate diet” and they have looked “very hard to locate them.

The suggestions from the NWCR to successfully maintain a healthy weight-control program are:

Three eBooks

Low-carbohydrate Mania

Many popular books, magazines, and websites claim that we have been following expert medical advice for the past 40 years and we are unhealthier than ever. They declare that the idea that saturated fats and cholesterol cause heart disease is the greatest scientific deception of our times and that a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet is essential for our well-being.

These views have become accepted as the truth. Instead of informing our society about healthy dietary choices, they are causing widespread harm.

Richard explains why these prevailing views are based on myths, fabrications and distortion of the facts.

However, standard medical advice has not been helpful in reducing the rising prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. This advice often contains guidance such as “everything in moderation” and that we need to be “practical” and “flexible”. Advice which is not very constructive.

Fortunately, the diets that are optimal for our health are also the best for the environment and for the animals we share the earth with.

Vegan Starter Kit from PETA

Obtain a Vegan Start Kit from PETA which has lots of useful tips for everyone – not just those who are considering vegan options.

Testimonials

Sue C

Richard asked for blood tests before we started the program. My blood pressure was high and had been for some time. It had become border line medication. From the first appointment with Richard I removed meat, dairy and eggs from my diet and followed his advice – whole foods, plant based. I had a doctor’s appointment two days later to address my blood pressure and I was astounded that my blood pressure was normal.
… Read more “Sue C”

Sue - Cessnock

I.G. – Hunter Valley

I did Richard’s course in April (2007). Since then I have given up eggs and dairy. I was not eating meat. I continue to make my own wheat bread. I was taking diabetic and arthritic medications.

With some additional help from a local naturopath, I no longer need any medications at all. I am able to do activities such as gardening which was not possible previously.… Read more “I.G. – Hunter Valley”

I.G. - Hunter Valley, NSW

Mary

I was feeling very unwell, difficult to get up in the morning, lethargic and miserable. I had 3 children living at home so it was challenging. After many visits to the doctor, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It took some time. Because I was not overweight, the doctor assumed that I would not have diabetes.… Read more “Mary”

Mary - Newcastle, NSW

Leukaemia Foundation – Hunter Valley

We have just had Richard present for us at one of the Leukaemia Foundation support Groups. The session was both informative and easy to understand, and encouraged group discussion and questions.… Read more “Leukaemia Foundation – Hunter Valley”

Vicki

Leukaemia Foundation - Hunter Valley

Loreto

Richard is wonderfully considerate and helpful and he has been called on many times to assist my Kinesiology Practice. He pays impeccable attention to every detail of the work that he undertakes which he does with enthusiasm and caring. I admire Richard’s skills and abilities and he uses his insight, common sense and intelligence to wisely assist the people with whom he is working to achieve wonderful results.… Read more “Loreto”

Loreto Whitney

The Pig Farmer

Read John Robbins's incredible story about The Pig Farmer from Iowa that is moving and transforming.